Fitzroy and Geelong hosted this week’s Under 14 members of the Little League Charter & Junior League Charter Academy. The Under 12s took the field last week. All previous iterations of the weekly wraps are also available. 

Southern Mariners (B) 7, Northern Diamondbacks 5 (Blue)

Looking to get back to .500, the Southern Mariners B side got off to a fast start, scoring five times in the first inning to take a commanding lead. They then added two in the third as insurance. 

Good thing, too, as the Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) tallied five of their own in the bottom half of the inning to considerably tighten the game. 

Pitching prevailed at the last, with the game finishing with two scoreless innings. 

As aspired to: with the victory this Southern Mariners team is now 2-2 while the hard-luck D’Backs remain winless. 

Southern Mariners (A) 6, Northern Diamondbacks 5 (Blue)

Similar to their brethren a win against the D’Backs Blue team would even their record at 2-2. Prevail they did, 6-5, in a cracker of a match. 

The games played out with eerie symmetry. The first tilt had this line score: 

5-0-2-0-0
0-0-5-0-0

And the second: 

2-1-0-3
0-0-5-0

In each case the D’Backs got down early then responded with five runs in the third inning. Losers by two in the early game, the margin was only one in the nightcap. No matter: the D’Backs fell to 0-5 on the season. 

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 15, Geelong Baycats 3

This is the matchup everyone has been waiting for: the 3-1 A’s versus the 4-0 Baycats. But here the age-old adage—be careful what you wish for—rang true. 

Instead of a taut, nail-biter it quickly turned into a rout. The A’s Gold team scored twice in the first before busting out with seven in the second and six in the third to put the game away. 

The Baycats fought back to score their first three runs in the bottom of the last to provide the winning margin. 

The crushing blow was dealt by the A’s Reece Longstaff who boomed a second inning grand slam to provide the exclamation point to a dominating effort. Also contributing at the plate were Charlie Collins, James Keam, Lucas Keyhoe, Cal Vance, Koetsu Sakamoto and Henty Hayman, who each had a hit in the game. 

Like Longstaff across the diamond, Kobe Greenhalgh went deep for the Baycats. Connor Hickey, Thomas Renouf, Ethan Tipping, and Max Shaw-Vaalepu had Geelong’s hits. 

On the mound, Angus McNee, Travis Duxson and Hickey threw for the Baycats.

The A’s pitching was stellar, led by Hayman who struck out two, ceded just one hit and didn’t allow a run in 1.1 innings. The Eastern pitching staff didn’t allow a walk or hit a batter the entire game. 

Geelong Baycats 7, Eastern Athletics (Green) 4

For two innings it looked like more of the same. After being on the wrong end of a walloping in the first game, the Baycats found themselves facing another significant deficit, trailing 4-0 after one. The score remained the same entering the bottom of the third when Geelong resoundingly bounced back from their first loss of the season. 

They tallied four times in that frame and then another three in the bottom of the fourth to win their fifth game against only one defeat. 

With the loss, the Eastern Athletics (Green) fell to 3-2 on the season. 

Unlike in the first game pitching took center stage here. Nick Hau started for the Baycats and pitched exceptionally: three innings, four hits, a walk, two earned runs and six strikeouts. In relief, Kobe Greenhalgh and Jarryd Wood combined for another two whiffs in the fourth inning. 

For the A’s, Zac Busch struck out five batter in three innings. 

Mitch Homfray, Harvey Mitchelhill and Kye Stehr had the hits for Eastern. 

In the win, Angus McNee, Ethan Tipping and Wood all had two knocks, while Eugene Gay and Connor Hughes each had one. 

Here is how the comp stands after three rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10392&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder 

Next Saturday, the Under 12s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.

Southern Mariners (B) 7, Northern Diamondbacks 5 (Blue)

Looking to get back to .500, the Southern Mariners B side got off to a fast start, scoring five times in the first inning to take a commanding lead. They then added two in the third as insurance. 

Good thing, too, as the Northern Diamondbacks (Blue) tallied five of their own in the bottom half of the inning to considerably tighten the game. 

Pitching prevailed at the last, with the game finishing with two scoreless innings. 

As aspired to: with the victory this Southern Mariners team is now 2-2 while the hard-luck D’Backs remain winless. 

Southern Mariners (A) 6, Northern Diamondbacks 5 (Blue)

Similar to their brethren a win against the D’Backs Blue team would even their record at 2-2. Prevail they did, 6-5, in a cracker of a match. 

The games played out with eerie symmetry. The first tilt had this line score: 

5-0-2-0-0
0-0-5-0-0

And the second: 

2-1-0-3
0-0-5-0

In each case the D’Backs got down early then responded with five runs in the third inning. Losers by two in the early game, the margin was only one in the nightcap. No matter: the D’Backs fell to 0-5 on the season. 

Eastern Athletics (Gold) 15, Geelong Baycats 3

This is the matchup everyone has been waiting for: the 3-1 A’s versus the 4-0 Baycats. But here the age-old adage—be careful what you wish for—rang true. 

Instead of a taut, nail-biter it quickly turned into a rout. The A’s Gold team scored twice in the first before busting out with seven in the second and six in the third to put the game away. 

The Baycats fought back to score their first three runs in the bottom of the last to provide the winning margin. 

The crushing blow was dealt by the A’s Reece Longstaff who boomed a second inning grand slam to provide the exclamation point to a dominating effort. Also contributing at the plate were Charlie Collins, James Keam, Lucas Keyhoe, Cal Vance, Koetsu Sakamoto and Henty Hayman, who each had a hit in the game. 

Like Longstaff across the diamond, Kobe Greenhalgh went deep for the Baycats. Connor Hickey, Thomas Renouf, Ethan Tipping, and Max Shaw-Vaalepu had Geelong’s hits. 

On the mound, Angus McNee, Travis Duxson and Hickey threw for the Baycats.

The A’s pitching was stellar, led by Hayman who struck out two, ceded just one hit and didn’t allow a run in 1.1 innings. The Eastern pitching staff didn’t allow a walk or hit a batter the entire game. 

Geelong Baycats 7, Eastern Athletics (Green) 4

For two innings it looked like more of the same. After being on the wrong end of a walloping in the first game, the Baycats found themselves facing another significant deficit, trailing 4-0 after one. The score remained the same entering the bottom of the third when Geelong resoundingly bounced back from their first loss of the season. 

They tallied four times in that frame and then another three in the bottom of the fourth to win their fifth game against only one defeat. 

With the loss, the Eastern Athletics (Green) fell to 3-2 on the season. 

Unlike in the first game pitching took center stage here. Nick Hau started for the Baycats and pitched exceptionally: three innings, four hits, a walk, two earned runs and six strikeouts. In relief, Kobe Greenhalgh and Jarryd Wood combined for another two whiffs in the fourth inning. 

For the A’s, Zac Busch struck out five batter in three innings. 

Mitch Homfray, Harvey Mitchelhill and Kye Stehr had the hits for Eastern. 

In the win, Angus McNee, Ethan Tipping and Wood all had two knocks, while Eugene Gay and Connor Hughes each had one. 

Here is how the comp stands after three rounds: https://sportsdesq.imgstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=10392&OrgID=16724&clubOrganisationId=0##ladder 

Next Saturday, the Under 12s are back in action. Check back here for a full report of all six games.

Springvale 8, Doncaster 7  

In its toughest non-Essendon test to date, the Lions eked past a hungry Dragons squad on the road, 8-7. As has become customary, Doncaster’s Amy McCann led the charge, recording three hits in four at-bats, including a double. She also knocked in three of her team’s seven runs. 

Madeline Davis and Samantha Hamilton had two hits each for the Dragons. 

On the mound for Doncaster it was Erin Collis starting and throwing 5.2 innings and Belinda Cannington finishing off the seven frame game. 

With the victory Springvale stays tied atop-the-ladder with Essendon. 

Essendon 14, Malvern 6

Speaking of the Bombers . . . they were up to their old tricks on Saturday, plating four runs in the first and one in the second to take a commanding 5-0 lead into the third. Undaunted, the Braves fought back to even the game at five before Essendon pulled away for good, scoring four in the fourth and five in the fifth. Malvern added a single run in the sixth to provide the final margin. 

The Braves battered 13 hits, including three each from Ellen Goodrope and Ursula Howard. Goodrope’s hitting clinic also included a double. Jessica Johnson, in addition to pitching 1.2 innings, also hit the game’s only triple. 

For the victors, Georgia Page tossed a complete game, allowing only three earned runs and striking out four. 

Abbey Kelly (4-4, three runs and two runs batted in) and Bronwyn Gell (3-4, scoring three times) led the offensive assault.

Footscray was idle.

Announced today by the Australian Baseball League and Baseball Australia, the rosters for the 2015 Australian Baseball League All-Star Game Presented by Boral are packed with the best talent, both local and international, playing in the ABL this season. 

With the all-time All-Star series tied a 2-2, the 2015 ASG is more than just the Midsummer Classic Down Under. It’s a chance for Team Australia to show the World All-Stars what they can do on a baseball diamond. The two teams will face off for the series lead under the lights at Melbourne Ballpark on Wednesday, 16 December at 7:30pm AEDT.

Australia’s team features a “roster of mix and balance, [with] a lot of new faces and returning talent,” according to Glenn Williams, BA’s Head of High Performance.

Those returning faces include former Major Leaguer Brad Harman, a longtime Team Australia representative who still balances playing baseball while maintaining a full-time job and raising his young family. That’s the case for many of Australia’s players, most of whom juggle the realities of life while still giving their all on the baseball diamond.

“With some regulars unavailable due to injuries or given time off from their professional teams, it’s an opportunity to test the depth and give the talent that have had a good year some exposure,” Williams said.

Of the 26 players on the Aussie roster, 10 of them will make their first appearance in an ABL ASG. These include reliever Scott Mitchinson, a mainstay of Perth teams who reinvented himself as a sidearm pitcher, and starting pitcher Steve Chambers, a Queenslander now playing in Adelaide who has held opposing hitters to a .170 batting average this season.

Former softballer Aaron Whitefield is the only ABL rookie on the Team Australia roster, and the All-Star opportunity caps off an exciting year for the Queenslander, who signed with the Minnesota Twins in May and is hitting .314 in 11 games this season.  The Brisbane Bandits, proudly presented by WellDog, are the most-represented ABL club on Team Australia this year, sending seven team members to Melbourne to play for Australia and an additional three to the World side. Those seven include David Sutherland, the first new ABL player to reach 200 career hits, and Mitch Nilsson, who ranks second in the ABL this year with six home runs. 

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ROSTERS

On the visiting side, the World All-Stars represent a sample of global baseball talent, with players from seven different countries.

“Baseball is becoming a more and more global sport and this year’s World team is a fantastic example of that,” ABL General Manager Ben Foster said. “When the World All-Stars take the field, fans will see players from traditional baseball powerhouses such as Japan and Taiwan playing alongside baseballers from up-and-coming countries including Germany and Brazil.”

Keeping with the ABL’s tradition of having the previous season’s Claxton Shield-winning manager lead the All-Star team the next year, former Heat skipper Steve Fish will manage the World side. Fish will be joined by honourary captain Hu Chin-lung, a former member of the SA Power Networks Adelaide Bite and the first Taiwanese-born player to debut in MLB.

The 23 World players sit atop the league leaderboards in most major offensive and pitching categories. Seattle Mariners prospect and SA Power Networks Adelaide Bite first baseman Kyle Petty leads the league in home runs (10), and ranks second in RBIs (29) and third in batting average (.350). Nine of the top 10 hitters will suit up for the World, including leader David Harris (.372) of the Canberra Elite Cavalry and Toronto Blue Jays, and second-ranked Justin Williams, a Tampa Bay Rays prospect playing for the Bandits.

While Canberra send seven players to Melbourne, host club the Aces will have five players on the roster, including left-handed pitcher Yasuo Sano and catcher Takanori Hoshi from Nippon Professional Baseball’s Saitama Seibu Lions, alongside development player William Wu, the lone Taiwanese player on the active roster. Wu and Sano highlight a World pitching staff led by Edwin Carl of the Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat, who leads all starting pitchers in ERA (1.60) and strikeouts (48). Colorado Rockies prospect Alex Balog ranks behind Carl with a 1.67 season ERA and is dominating for the CompassMarkets.com Sydney Blue Sox, with a 4-2 record in seven starts.

For the third year in a row, fans have the opportunity to choose the final member of the World All-Stars in the fan ballot. This year’s candidates include two nominees from each club, and fans can vote now on the ABL’s Facebook page. Voting closes on Sunday, 13 December, and the winner will be announced the following morning.

ADE: Dallas Gallant (RHP), Travis Demeritte (INF)
BRI: Jason Jarvis (RHP), Eric Green (LHP)
CAN: Ryan Miller (C), Jeremy Barnes (3B)
MEL: Trey Vavra (1B), Matt Larkins (RHP)
PER: Correlle Prime (1B), Derek Peterson (OF)
SYD: Jamie Westbrook (2B), Brandon Zywicki (RHP)

Tickets are on sale now at TheABL.com.au/ASG15.

Announced today by the Australian Baseball League and Baseball Australia, the rosters for the 2015 Australian Baseball League All-Star Game Presented by Boral are packed with the best talent, both local and international, playing in the ABL this season. 

With the all-time All-Star series tied a 2-2, the 2015 ASG is more than just the Midsummer Classic Down Under. It’s a chance for Team Australia to show the World All-Stars what they can do on a baseball diamond. The two teams will face off for the series lead under the lights at Melbourne Ballpark on Wednesday, 16 December at 7:30pm AEDT.

Australia’s team features a “roster of mix and balance, [with] a lot of new faces and returning talent,” according to Glenn Williams, BA’s Head of High Performance.

Those returning faces include former Major Leaguer Brad Harman, a longtime Team Australia representative who still balances playing baseball while maintaining a full-time job and raising his young family. That’s the case for many of Australia’s players, most of whom juggle the realities of life while still giving their all on the baseball diamond.

“With some regulars unavailable due to injuries or given time off from their professional teams, it’s an opportunity to test the depth and give the talent that have had a good year some exposure,” Williams said.

Of the 26 players on the Aussie roster, 10 of them will make their first appearance in an ABL ASG. These include reliever Scott Mitchinson, a mainstay of Perth teams who reinvented himself as a sidearm pitcher, and starting pitcher Steve Chambers, a Queenslander now playing in Adelaide who has held opposing hitters to a .170 batting average this season.

Former softballer Aaron Whitefield is the only ABL rookie on the Team Australia roster, and the All-Star opportunity caps off an exciting year for the Queenslander, who signed with the Minnesota Twins in May and is hitting .314 in 11 games this season.  The Brisbane Bandits, proudly presented by WellDog, are the most-represented ABL club on Team Australia this year, sending seven team members to Melbourne to play for Australia and an additional three to the World side. Those seven include David Sutherland, the first new ABL player to reach 200 career hits, and Mitch Nilsson, who ranks second in the ABL this year with six home runs. 

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ROSTERS

On the visiting side, the World All-Stars represent a sample of global baseball talent, with players from seven different countries.

“Baseball is becoming a more and more global sport and this year’s World team is a fantastic example of that,” ABL General Manager Ben Foster said. “When the World All-Stars take the field, fans will see players from traditional baseball powerhouses such as Japan and Taiwan playing alongside baseballers from up-and-coming countries including Germany and Brazil.”

Keeping with the ABL’s tradition of having the previous season’s Claxton Shield-winning manager lead the All-Star team the next year, former Heat skipper Steve Fish will manage the World side. Fish will be joined by honourary captain Hu Chin-lung, a former member of the SA Power Networks Adelaide Bite and the first Taiwanese-born player to debut in MLB.

The 23 World players sit atop the league leaderboards in most major offensive and pitching categories. Seattle Mariners prospect and SA Power Networks Adelaide Bite first baseman Kyle Petty leads the league in home runs (10), and ranks second in RBIs (29) and third in batting average (.350). Nine of the top 10 hitters will suit up for the World, including leader David Harris (.372) of the Canberra Elite Cavalry and Toronto Blue Jays, and second-ranked Justin Williams, a Tampa Bay Rays prospect playing for the Bandits.

While Canberra send seven players to Melbourne, host club the Aces will have five players on the roster, including left-handed pitcher Yasuo Sano and catcher Takanori Hoshi from Nippon Professional Baseball’s Saitama Seibu Lions, alongside development player William Wu, the lone Taiwanese player on the active roster. Wu and Sano highlight a World pitching staff led by Edwin Carl of the Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat, who leads all starting pitchers in ERA (1.60) and strikeouts (48). Colorado Rockies prospect Alex Balog ranks behind Carl with a 1.67 season ERA and is dominating for the CompassMarkets.com Sydney Blue Sox, with a 4-2 record in seven starts.

For the third year in a row, fans have the opportunity to choose the final member of the World All-Stars in the fan ballot. This year’s candidates include two nominees from each club, and fans can vote now on the ABL’s Facebook page. Voting closes on Sunday, 13 December, and the winner will be announced the following morning.

ADE: Dallas Gallant (RHP), Travis Demeritte (INF)
BRI: Jason Jarvis (RHP), Eric Green (LHP)
CAN: Ryan Miller (C), Jeremy Barnes (3B)
MEL: Trey Vavra (1B), Matt Larkins (RHP)
PER: Correlle Prime (1B), Derek Peterson (OF)
SYD: Jamie Westbrook (2B), Brandon Zywicki (RHP)

Tickets are on sale now at TheABL.com.au/ASG15.

Ormond Glenhuntly 15, Chelsea 0

In perhaps the most surprising result of the Division 3 competition so far, the Hunters—in absolutely dominating fashion—whitewashed the Dolphins, 15-0, in Chelsea. 

Buoyed by a run in the first, five in the second and nine in the fourth, Ormond Glenhuntly’s victory was just its third in 11 contests. And though they have the same amount of points as Research and Footscray—and one more than St Kilda—their 27.27 winning percentage still has them in the cellar. 

After a bye this weekend, the Hunters travel to Footscray on 20 December for the last game before the Christmas break. 

No rest for Chelsea as they square off against Pakenham on the road this Sunday. 

Mulgrave 10, Pakenham 1

If the Hunters and Dolphins provided the most surprising result, this game was easily the most anticipated of the year so far. 

The top two teams—the Rebels checked in with a mark of 8-0-1 and the Pumas’ record was 8-2-0—haven’t squared off since Round 3, when Mulgrave travelled to Pakenham and dispatched them, 6-2. 

This contest had a similar feel with the Rebels jumping up early (they led 4-1 after four) and then adding runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. 

Stuart Phillips started for Mulgrave and hurled six solid innings, throwing 98 pitches. Equally in control, Matthew Young (43 pitches) finished off the contest with three scoreless frames. The Rebels finished with 14 hits and Pakenham just six. 

On Sunday, Mulgrave travels to St Kilda to visit the Saints—the only team this season not to lose to the Rebels. First pitch is scheduled for 3.30 p.m. at Tom O’Halloran Field. 

Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club 

St Kilda 7, Footscray 5

For five innings the game followed a frustratingly familiar script for the Saints. Bad luck at the plate—a hit-and-run by the second St Kilda batter resulted in a 5-3 double play in the top of the first—and seeing-eye-singles and bloop hits for their opponent as they faced another multi-run deficit, down 4-0 after five complete. 

But after an impassioned speech by club coach Brett Elliott, the Saints (who had hit the ball hard all day) finally saw some balls drop safely. They strung together a series of clutch hits to quickly tie the game at four. 

After an efficient and much-needed 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth by southpaw Gary Mills, St Kilda kept up their superb hitting and aggressive baserunning to add three more runs to their tally. Footscray fought back to plate one run in the seventh to shrink the deficit to 7-5 but got no closer. 

Elliott, a constant nemesis for the Bulldogs during winter, pitched two scoreless frames, striking out four in a dominating save. 

With the win the Saints moved out of the cellar and within a half a game of Footscray for fifth on the ladder.

Research was idle this weekend.

In perhaps the most surprising result of the Division 3 competition so far, the Hunters—in absolutely dominating fashion—whitewashed the Dolphins, 15-0, in Chelsea. 

Buoyed by a run in the first, five in the second and nine in the fourth, Ormond Glenhuntly’s victory was just its third in 11 contests. And though they have the same amount of points as Research and Footscray—and one more than St Kilda—their 27.27 winning percentage still has them in the cellar. 

After a bye this weekend, the Hunters travel to Footscray on 20 December for the last game before the Christmas break. 

No rest for Chelsea as they square off against Pakenham on the road this Sunday. 

Mulgrave 10, Pakenham 1

If the Hunters and Dolphins provided the most surprising result, this game was easily the most anticipated of the year so far. 

The top two teams—the Rebels checked in with a mark of 8-0-1 and the Pumas’ record was 8-2-0—haven’t squared off since Round 3, when Mulgrave travelled to Pakenham and dispatched them, 6-2. 

This contest had a similar feel with the Rebels jumping up early (they led 4-1 after four) and then adding runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. 

Stuart Phillips started for Mulgrave and hurled six solid innings, throwing 98 pitches. Equally in control, Matthew Young (43 pitches) finished off the contest with three scoreless frames. The Rebels finished with 14 hits and Pakenham just six. 

On Sunday, Mulgrave travels to St Kilda to visit the Saints—the only team this season not to lose to the Rebels. First pitch is scheduled for 3.30 p.m. at Tom O’Halloran Field. 

Original report supplied by Lincoln Ladds of the Mulgrave Baseball Club 

St Kilda 7, Footscray 5

For five innings the game followed a frustratingly familiar script for the Saints. Bad luck at the plate—a hit-and-run by the second St Kilda batter resulted in a 5-3 double play in the top of the first—and seeing-eye-singles and bloop hits for their opponent as they faced another multi-run deficit, down 4-0 after five complete. 

But after an impassioned speech by club coach Brett Elliott, the Saints (who had hit the ball hard all day) finally saw some balls drop safely. They strung together a series of clutch hits to quickly tie the game at four. 

After an efficient and much-needed 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth by southpaw Gary Mills, St Kilda kept up their superb hitting and aggressive baserunning to add three more runs to their tally. Footscray fought back to plate one run in the seventh to shrink the deficit to 7-5 but got no closer. 

Elliott, a constant nemesis for the Bulldogs during winter, pitched two scoreless frames, striking out four in a dominating save. 

With the win the Saints moved out of the cellar and within a half a game of Footscray for fifth on the ladder.

Research was idle this weekend.

Fitzroy 2, Werribee 0

Nine innings. Four hits. That’s how dominant the Lions pitching was in their huge road win over the Giants. Single markers in the first and third was all Fitzroy needed to record their ninth victory of the season, putting them just a half game back of Werribee for the second rung on the Division 2 ladder. 

Luke McLean and Taylor Eichhorst both had three hits for the Lions, including two doubles by Eichhorst. The runs batted in were credited to McLean and Brock Pawley. 

Oliver Box, Daine Gregory, Even McPherson, and Jose Ruiz had the hits—all singles—for Werribee. 

Williamstown 8, Bonbeach 1

Hungry to get back to Division 1, the Wolves mauled yet another opponent on Sunday, feasting on the visiting Bluejays, 8-1. 

Similar to previous victories, Williamstown started fast, plating four runs in the first and then following that success up with two in the fourth. Bonbeach got on the board in the eighth but the Wolves quickly responded by scoring a couple runs of their own in the bottom half. 

Aaron Green and Kile Rogers starred for the victors with each recording three hits. Staci Rogers also had multiple knocks while Ryan Camov slugged two doubles. 

With the win, Williamstown is now alone in fourth place, six points behind top-of-the-ladder Moorabbin. 

Berwick City 10, Malvern 1

Scoring early and often, Berwick City evened their record at 7-7. Tallying three runs in the second, five in the third and two in the fourth, the Cougars coasted to an easy win over the struggling Braves. 

Mark Surtees started for Berwick, throwing five scoreless innings. Relievers Cameron Gibbens, Eland Tsubata and John O’Connor allowed just a single run in four innings of work.

Luke Bettles and Simon Willox put their best foot forward for Malvern with each accounting for two hits. Willox had the lone RBI, scoring Lachlan Fuda. 

Original report supplied by Mark Gibbens of the Berwick City Baseball Club 

Ballarat 6, Port Melbourne 3

The old adage that every time you go to a baseball game you see something new certainly applies to this tilt. The Brewers scored six runs—on just two hits. The skilled batsmen were Ricky Howell and Scott Jones, with the latter’s hit going for two bases. Jones also knocked in two runs with Stewart Jeffrey and Scott Kerr accounting for the other two RBI. 

The victory ups Ballarat’s record to 5-8 while Port Melbourne falls to 3-10.

Moorabbin 16, Upwey Ferntree Gully 3

When you score 12 runs in one inning the odds are very much in your favour to prevail. So it should come as little surprise that the first place Panthers huge sixth frame was enough to secure the victory. 

Moorabbin began the scoring with four runs in the second. The Tigers answered back with one in the second and another in the third but were then held scoreless before the Panthers outburst. A sole run in the bottom of the seventh by Upwey was not enough to avoid the mercy rule.

Cheltenham 8, Sunshine 3

One big inning was all it took for the Rustlers to hand the Eagles another tough defeat. Pitching dominated early with no runs crossing the plate through the first three innings. Each side tallied one marker in the fourth and then visiting Cheltenham plated one in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish. 

The big blow came in the eighth, however, as the Rustlers had five cross the plate. They added an insurance run in the ninth before the Eagles plated two of their own in the bottom half to provide the winning five-run margin.   

Geelong 3, Blackburn 0

As it has so often this season, pitching carried the day for the Baycats. In whitewashing the visiting Orioles, 3-0, Geelong improved their record to 10-2-1 on the season, a game ahead of Essendon. With the loss, Blackburn fell to 8-5, good for second place in their division behind Melbourne. 

The Baycats scored one run in the third and then two in the seventh. The Orioles did have their chances, collecting seven hits (all singles) scattered throughout. Ryan Berg and Luke Cartwright each had two knocks for Blackburn. 

Essendon 7, Melbourne 2

In a highly anticipated matchup between perennial powers it was the host Bombers who won this battle, 7-2. 

Starting fast, Essendon scored twice in the first and then after ceding a run in the sixth exploded for four in the bottom half to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The two teams then traded single markers in the eighth to provide the final margin. 

The Demons only managed five hits on the day (two from Robert Hondromatidis, including a double) while Rhys De Highden and Scott Moore also contributed two baggers to the cause. 

For the victors Sam Moon starred, going 3-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Andy Radevski, Peter Stokes, Tim Sullivan, and Brett Tamburrino also had multiple knocks for the Bombers. 

Preston 2, Waverley 1

In a well-pitched, well-played game, the Pirates edged the visiting Wildcats, 2-1. With the win, Preston upped their mark to 5-8, matching Waverley’s record. 

Despite the dearth of runs, Waverley batted well, recording six hits including a double by Jamie Papanicolaou. Tyler Dale had the lone run batted in.

Sandringham 2, Doncaster 1

One thing that can always be said about the Dragons is that they never stop competing. Sunday’s game was a great example as they battled the Royals to the last, ultimately falling 2-1 on the road. 

Marcel D’Avoine and Nicolaas Unland led Doncaster with two hits each, including an RBI by Unland. Five others—Rhys Aldenhoven, Scott Carr, Justin Lawrence, Callum Lethborg, and Michael Mazzocato—also contributed a hit apiece. 

For the victors, no one had multiple hits but four players did add single knocks to the box score. More importantly, Jordan Barnett and Nicholas Macleod (as a pinch runner) crossed the plate for the Royals. 

Springvale 7, Newport 1

Implementing to perfection the ideal road strategy—get an early lead, score in multiple innings and immediately answer a run with more runs—the Lions mauled the Rams, 7-1. 

Starring for Springvale were Glenn Mascoll (4-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI), Sammy Drummond (3-5 with two runs), and Matthew Hayle (2-4). 

Across the diamond Gabriel Sandersius was the only Ram with multiple knocks. In total, Newport did bang out seven hits, including Sandersius’ double. Samuel Fraser knocked in the ever present Sandersius with Newport’s only run.

One big inning was all it took for the Rustlers to hand the Eagles another tough defeat. Pitching dominated early with no runs crossing the plate through the first three innings. Each side tallied one marker in the fourth and then visiting Cheltenham plated one in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish. 

The big blow came in the eighth, however, as the Rustlers had five cross the plate. They added an insurance run in the ninth before the Eagles plated two of their own in the bottom half to provide the winning five-run margin.   

Geelong 3, Blackburn 0

As it has so often this season, pitching carried the day for the Baycats. In whitewashing the visiting Orioles, 3-0, Geelong improved their record to 10-2-1 on the season, a game ahead of Essendon. With the loss, Blackburn fell to 8-5, good for second place in their division behind Melbourne. 

The Baycats scored one run in the third and then two in the seventh. The Orioles did have their chances, collecting seven hits (all singles) scattered throughout. Ryan Berg and Luke Cartwright each had two knocks for Blackburn. 

Essendon 7, Melbourne 2

In a highly anticipated matchup between perennial powers it was the host Bombers who won this battle, 7-2. 

Starting fast, Essendon scored twice in the first and then after ceding a run in the sixth exploded for four in the bottom half to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The two teams then traded single markers in the eighth to provide the final margin. 

The Demons only managed five hits on the day (two from Robert Hondromatidis, including a double) while Rhys De Highden and Scott Moore also contributed two baggers to the cause. 

For the victors Sam Moon starred, going 3-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Andy Radevski, Peter Stokes, Tim Sullivan, and Brett Tamburrino also had multiple knocks for the Bombers. 

Preston 2, Waverley 1

In a well-pitched, well-played game, the Pirates edged the visiting Wildcats, 2-1. With the win, Preston upped their mark to 5-8, matching Waverley’s record. 

Despite the dearth of runs, Waverley batted well, recording six hits including a double by Jamie Papanicolaou. Tyler Dale had the lone run batted in.

Sandringham 2, Doncaster 1

One thing that can always be said about the Dragons is that they never stop competing. Sunday’s game was a great example as they battled the Royals to the last, ultimately falling 2-1 on the road. 

Marcel D’Avoine and Nicolaas Unland led Doncaster with two hits each, including an RBI by Unland. Five others—Rhys Aldenhoven, Scott Carr, Justin Lawrence, Callum Lethborg, and Michael Mazzocato—also contributed a hit apiece. 

For the victors, no one had multiple hits but four players did add single knocks to the box score. More importantly, Jordan Barnett and Nicholas Macleod (as a pinch runner) crossed the plate for the Royals. 

Springvale 7, Newport 1

Implementing to perfection the ideal road strategy—get an early lead, score in multiple innings and immediately answer a run with more runs—the Lions mauled the Rams, 7-1. 

Starring for Springvale were Glenn Mascoll (4-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI), Sammy Drummond (3-5 with two runs), and Matthew Hayle (2-4). 

Across the diamond Gabriel Sandersius was the only Ram with multiple knocks. In total, Newport did bang out seven hits, including Sandersius’ double. Samuel Fraser knocked in the ever present Sandersius with Newport’s only run.

The Footscray Baseball Club is looking for a club coach for the 2016 Melbourne Winter Baseball League season commencing in April 2016. Last year they entered teams into C, C Reserve and EE Grades and their intention this season is to recruit more players so that we can enter teams into the B and B Reserves Grades and have the EE team as a development team—or possibly even enter 4 teams into the MWBL competition.

For additional information please see the attached PDF.

Summer Camp is one of the most popular events for juniors for the year.  

Traditionally known for the fun, Summer Camp is where the elite players and coaches let their hair down and show the juniors how to mix baseball skills and training with water games, pranks and memories to last a lifetime. 

Train with professionals such as Tanner, Trey and Joe Vavra, Virgil Vasquez, Darryl George, Luke Abels, Mike Hill, Keith Curcio and Logan Moon. (subject to availability) 

For 2016 we are taking Summer Camp to a whole new level. We are moving the whole show to Melbourne Ballpark, the home of the Aces, and spreading the camp over four fun days. 

Tuesday 12 January - 10am - 3pm

Wednesday 13 January - 10am - 3pm

Thursday 14 January - 12pm - 5pm * FREE BBQ dinner for kids, and FREE entry for campers to the Aces Game. 

Friday 15 January - 12pm - 5pm * FREE entry for campers to the Aces Game 

$60 per person discounts for families 

To find out more click here.

Register here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footscray 16, Malvern 6

When the game entered the bottom of the third inning scoreless few thought 22 runs would cross the plate before it ended. But that’s exactly what happened as the Braves and Bulldogs busted out the bats on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. 

Footscray opened the scoring with a lone run in the third. Then the floodgates opened. After the Braves scored twice in the fourth the Bulldogs answered with four. Three for the visitor and then six for the home side. One more for Malvern and then five in the sixth to provide the final margin of victory for Footscray. 

The Bulldogs finished with 17 hits with six players accounting for multiple knocks. Heidi Northcott, Tiffaney Colquhoun and Brittney Cedelland all contributed three hits and Abbey McLellan knocked in five runs. 

The victory pushed Footscray’s record to 3-6 while Malvern fell to 2-7. 

Essendon 5, Doncaster 4

With Springvale idle this weekend, Essendon had to win to stay tied atop the ladder. Prevail they did in a cracker of a contest, 5-4, over Doncaster. 

The Bombers face off in a highly anticipated showdown with the Lions on Wednesday 9 December at Essendon’s home grounds.

When the game entered the bottom of the third inning scoreless few thought 22 runs would cross the plate before it ended. But that’s exactly what happened as the Braves and Bulldogs busted out the bats on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. 

Footscray opened the scoring with a lone run in the third. Then the floodgates opened. After the Braves scored twice in the fourth the Bulldogs answered with four. Three for the visitor and then six for the home side. One more for Malvern and then five in the sixth to provide the final margin of victory for Footscray. 

The Bulldogs finished with 17 hits with six players accounting for multiple knocks. Heidi Northcott, Tiffaney Colquhoun and Brittney Cedelland all contributed three hits and Abbey McLellan knocked in five runs. 

The victory pushed Footscray’s record to 3-6 while Malvern fell to 2-7. 

Essendon 5, Doncaster 4

With Springvale idle this weekend, Essendon had to win to stay tied atop the ladder. Prevail they did in a cracker of a contest, 5-4, over Doncaster. 

The Bombers face off in a highly anticipated showdown with the Lions on Wednesday 9 December at Essendon’s home grounds.